All current HITO hairdressing, barbering, and beauty therapy apprentices, trainers and assessors can enter their regional category.

The regions are:

Northern: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne

Central: Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough

Southern: Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland

Each regional award winner will receive a 2025 winner trophy and certificate.

Each regional Apprentice of the Year winner will also receive $2,500 towards professional development.

The 2025 Apprentice of the Year will:

• Use creativity – make the video content engaging and exciting
• Show passion for their craft and give examples of their unique standpoint as an apprentice
• Ensure content is clear and concise by covering all points in entry criteria
• Hold the confidence to represent HITO and lead others in their industry by example
• Consider the presentation of their entry

The 2025 Trainer of the Year will:

• Show commitment to mentoring and display a strong work ethic
• Showcases leadership qualities
• Showcases contribution to industry
• Ensure content is clear and concise by covering all points in entry criteria
• Consider the presentation of their entry

The 2025 Assessor of the Year will:

• Demonstrate excellence in assessment practices
• Clearly expresses a deep passion for the industry
• Contributes to a positive and inclusive environment for learners
• Ensure content is clear and concise by covering all points in entry criteria
• Consider the presentation of their entry

Apprentice of the Year 2025 entry
To enter the competition, you must create a video and ensure it includes the following:

• Showcase features of your day-to-day life in your workplace.
  How do you ensure every client has an amazing experience?
• Showcase or select a training skill you have learned and found difficult and explain how you overcame that challenge?
  Demonstrate this technique alongside a model, colleague or customer.
• Share your passion for the industry and explain who and/or what inspires you.
  What has your HITO apprenticeship meant to you?
• Explain what motivates you to excel and what makes you stand out as an apprentice.
• Tell us about your future goals in the industry and how you plan to make a difference.
• The video must not be any longer than 4 minutes.
• You’ll also need to submit a written reference. The references should reflect the qualities we’re looking for iand verify the statements you’ve made. Tip: Ensure references are from your employer, senior stylists, clients, and/or someone who knows you well. 
• Please submit a high resolution horizontal (landscape), photo of yourself with your entry.

Trainer of the Year 2025 entry
To enter the competition, you must create a video and ensure it includes the following:

• Showcase features of your day-to-day life training apprentices – highlight your unique teaching and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrate your excellence in teaching by showcasing your approach to training – this could include hands-on coaching, knowledge sharing, or feedback sessions.
• Explain what makes you an exceptional trainer.
• Explain how you support learner success and what drives you to mentor and develop apprentices.
• The video must not be any longer than 4 minutes.
• You’ll also need to submit a written reference. The references should reflect the qualities we’re looking for and verify the statements you’ve made. Tip: Ensure references are from your employer, senior stylists, clients, and/or someone who knows you well. 
• Please submit a high-resolution horizontal (landscape), photo of yourself with your entry.

Assessor of the Year 2025 entry
To enter the competition, you may submit a video or written entry and include the following:

• Introduce yourself and explain your role in shaping the future of the industry.
• Demonstrate how you provide accurate and fair assessments against NZQA unit standards and how this supports learner success.
• Explain what core values define you as an assessor.
• Explain how you promote creativity, productivity and innovation for up-and-coming professionals.
• Share why you are passionate about the industry
• Video entries must not be longer than 4 minutes. Written entries must not exceed 1500 words.
• Please submit a high resolution horizontal (landscape), photo of yourself with your entry.

• Apprentice of the Year – video entry  
• Trainer of the Year – video entry 
• Assessor of the Year – Video or written entry  

Your video entry can be created on any platform and does not have to be publicly shared, but must be sent through to HITO in high resolution.

Your video should be engaging and highlight your skills, expertise, and passion for the industry. You can use a mixture of visual and audio overlay, and choose the format that you believe will best capture your apprenticeship experience.

Finalists will be asked to sign a release form.

File too large to email?

If the video file is too large, we recommend using WeTransfer.com to create a link. Please submit your downloaded link to marketing@hito.org.nz, with your full name stated in the subject line.

1. Download and complete the entry form.
2. Create your entry.
3. Send your entry, completed entry form, photo and written reference to:
   marketing@hito.org.nz

Video entry tips:

Your video entry can be created on any platform and does not have to be publicly shared, but must be sent through to HITO in high resolution.

Your video should be engaging and highlight your skills, expertise, and passion for the industry. You can use a mixture of visual and audio overlay, and choose the format that you believe will best capture your apprenticeship experience.

Finalists will be asked to sign a release form.

File too large to email?

If the video file is too large, we recommend using WeTransfer.com to create a link. Please submit your downloaded link to marketing@hito.org.nz, with your full name stated in the subject line.

Yes! It is free for Apprentice, trainers, and assessors to enter. There is no cost attached to entering the HITO Awards.  

At all stages, judges score independently of other judges.

• Stage one of judging is carried out by HITO representatives. HITO will verify your achievements upon receipt of entry.
• Stage two of judging is carried out by hair, beauty, and barbering industry representatives. During this
  stage, a shortlist of finalists is identified.

Finalists will be announced in October 2025. Due to the number of entries, only finalists will be notified of the status of their entry via email.

The finalists will be invited to the regional Awards & Graduation events being held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in November. Winners will be announced at the event.

• Auckland – 23 November 2025
• Wellington – 16 November 2025
• Christchurch – 2 November 2025

By entering you agree to abide by the competition rules.

• Entrants must be a current HITO apprentice, trainer, or assessor (for each relevant award category)
• Entrants for Apprentice of the Year must be a current HITO apprentice, employed for 20+ hours a week in a commercial salon, barbershop or clinic and be meeting progression requirements with a current HITO training plan. Their fees must be up to date.
• Entrants for Trainer of the Year must hold a recognised New Zealand qualification.
• The judges’ decisions are final, and judges will be unable to provide individual feedback.
• All information received and submitted is confidential.
• Entries and supporting documents are due by 31 August 2025. No entries will be accepted after this date.
• Finalists will be announced in October 2025. Due to the number of entries, only finalists will be notified of the status of their entry via email.
• Finalists will be invited to the regional Awards & Graduation events being held in Auckland (23 November), Wellington (16 November) and Christchurch (3 November). Winners will be announced at the event.

If you have any questions, please contact your Sales and Training Advisor or HITO Support at support@hito.org.nz or (04) 499 1180.